Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Out-of-touch splitters have no legitimacy
DODGING elections, funny money, bitterness and a race row is the old dirty politics – not a fresh start.
Labour’s seven defecting MPS are a gift-wrapped present for Theresa May and a Conservative Party unable to believe their lucky break.
She’s weak and the Tories deeply divided – yet talk about own-goals when it’s the opposition splintering.
This isn’t yet 1981 and the SDP all over again but once more, right-wing MPS desert a left-wing leadership.
Last time, Michael Foot was abandoned. Now, it’s Jeremy Corbyn.
FRUSTRATION
The leader and Shadow Chancellor John Mcdonnell might have rebelled hundreds of times against Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. Unlike Chuka & Co, they never tried to destroy a party that with the unions remains the most progressive movement in our history.
They are out of touch with the public mood when some are against Labour’s commitment to socialist policies.
I share the seven’s frustration that Corbyn’s isn’t heading the fight to keep us in Europe by championing another referendum. And Luciana Berger endured horrific anti-semitic abuse with the party slow to react.
So how the Independent Group deals with “funny hue” Angela Smith is an acid test when she cites racism as a reason for quitting and would be rapped in Labour for the slur. With some of the seven it’s impossible not to wonder if disappointment’s a factor when they used to be big shots.
If they believed in democracy and were confident voters are behind them, all seven would trigger by-elections. Until they do, the splitters lack political legitimacy.